Spray jet discharging device

ABSTRACT

A spray jet discharging device of long range, whose function is based on the production of a powerful air stream with liquid droplets dispersed therein, the maximum velocity of the spray jet being at least 300 km/h. The air stream is produced by a centrifugal fan with a spiral housing ( 1 ). The device is mainly used for fire extinguishing. It may be mounted at fixed points or on land vehicles via a suitable support for the fan, which enables both rotation of the spray jet beam in the horizontal plane, and changing of its inclination angle in the vertical plane. It may be remotely controlled ( 10 ) or manually operated ( 60 ). There is also a version of the device for aerial fire-fighting operations ( 90 ), configured to be suspended from an aircraft, e.g. a helicopter, and a device for portable use ( 1 10 ), which can be carried by a fireman.

TECHNICAL FIELD Disclosure of the Invention

The present invention relates to a spray jet discharging device whosefunction is based on the production of a powerful air stream with liquiddroplets dispersed therein, the maximum velocity of the spray jet beingat least 300 km/h (83.3 m/s).

The device is mainly used to tackle fires which break out either inpopulated areas or in fields used for agricultural purposes, grass landsand forests. The spray, containing droplets of water or other liquidfire extinguishing medium, is discharged in the form of a jet beam,aimed either directly into the burning area or above it, whereafter thedroplets fall on the flames like rain. In any case, effective wetting ofa wide area, cooling and finally putting out of the fire are achieved.

Furthermore, the spray jet produced may intercept the advance of thefire due to its high velocity, overcoming even the wind which may helpthe fire move forward. Hence the flames are not allowed to reach newcombustible materials and eventually die out.

Finally, the significant force of the spray jet is capable of drivingthe fire smoke away from the area around the device operator anddispersing it, thus eliminating the likelihood of suffocation andallowing him to work more comfortably and safely.

Hereafter the device shall be described in accordance with its principaluse as a fire extinguishing device. Besides, the present invention beganas an evolution of the fire extinguishing devices put forward in patentGR1007732 (Krekoukis). However, in the course of developing theinvention it was realised that it could be applied elsewhere too, asmentioned at the end of this description. Such other uses of the deviceare also claimed in the present application.

The powerful air stream is produced by a centrifugal fan with a spiralhousing and an impeller of suitable dimensions and rotational speed.Said rotational speed is of course selectively adjustable by the deviceoperator, while the aforementioned minimum value of 300 km/h (83.3 m/s)with respect to the maximum velocity of the spray jet refers to thevelocity measured at the centre of the device's outlet, when theimpeller rotates at maximum speed. The high velocity of the air streamdoes not only ensure an effective dispersal of the liquid into dropletsbut also an adequate fire extinguishing range for the spray jet, even inadverse weather conditions, such as strong winds blowing against it. Foran even longer range, the maximum velocity of the air stream ispreferably at least 400 km/h (111.1 m/s).

A funnel of gradually reduced cross section may be fitted to the spiralhousing outlet in order to accelerate the flow and ensure even betterresults. Furthermore, a duct of constant cross section may be insertedbetween the spiral housing outlet and the funnel and/or fitteddownstream of the funnel to straighten the flow and impart the desireddirection to it.

Background Art

Compared to the spray jet of the present invention, water ejected fromhoses of fire engines or dropped from aerial fire-fighting means intothe fire is at a high concentration, i.e. its quantity is large inrelation to the size of the area covered. Thus, most of the waterpenetrates the core of the fire and lands on the ground withoutexercising any extinguishing action and is therefore wasted.

Besides, in case of forest conflagrations another problem arises fromwater hitting the ground with force: The water churns the soil and ismixed therewith, forming mud. Mud dried by the high temperature of thefire forms a surface crust under which in certain areas there are e.g.leaves smoldering amid stones, enough air being present in the gapstherebetween to maintain combustion (kiln-like conditions). These smalland hidden embers are often the cause of fire rekindles.

The following documents belong to the state of the art, among others:

-   -   U.S. Pat. No. 5,980,059 (Chi), which relates to a portable smoke        dispersing device for fires, especially in closed places, so        that firemen can enter quickly and save people who are trapped        therein and are in danger. By the figures of the document alone,        it is evident that the device is of a small size, suspended from        the operator's shoulder by a simple strap, and has a small axial        fan. The document is silent about the outflowing air velocity,        whose magnitude is an essential feature of the present        invention. Moreover, although the document's device can spray        water into the discharged air stream, “the minute water drops .        . . can be blown by the strong wind towards dense smoke from a        fire, not only lowering temperature of the fire, but also        condensing miscellaneous matters in the smoke to lessen the        dense smoke (see column 2, lines 9-13). Again nothing is        mentioned about putting out, a fire, which the device of U.S.        Pat. No. 5,980,059 obviously cannot achieve, judging by the very        small size of the water container in the figures. This device        was designed to solve a different technical problem (dispersing        dense fire smoke).    -   U.S. Pat. No. 6,446,731 (Sorosky), which relates to a device for        removing smoke and gases from closed spaces which are on fire,        said device being mounted on self-propelled fire-fighting        vehicles. The aim of the invention is to minimise damage to        property caused by smoke, to reduce the risk of personal injury        to both firefighters and occupants of the burning structure and        to slow down spreading of the fire (column 1, lines 14-20). It        comprises a tube which can be extended and retracted        (telescopic) and includes mechanical means for training the tube        laterally, as with a rotary turret, and means for elevating and        depressing the tube above and below the horizontal plane (column        2, lines 48-54). An axial fan rotates inside the tube to create        vacuum and cause aspiration of the smoke out of the burning        room.

By reversing the flow of the fan after the smoke has been evacuated,firefighting materials such as water or chemicals can be blown into thefire site to extinguish the fire (column 2, lines 39-42 and 60-64 andcolumn 5, lines 3-11). This document is also silent about the outflowingair velocity. However, the skilled person can easily understand thatthis device is operated at much lower air velocities, solely by the factthat a tube of significant length is required, so that its end mayapproach the fire to achieve aspiration of the smoke from the closedspace and putting out of the fire thereafter. Therefore the device ofU.S. Pat. No. 6,446,731 aims mainly to solve a different technicalproblem (smoke aspiration), whereas it also has a very narrow range ofapplications as far as fire extinguishing is concerned (closed spaces).

In contrast, the device of the present invention operates at high airvelocities, produced by a centrifugal fan in order to create a spray jetof long range, so that firemen will be able to put out a fire from asafe distance, even if it breaks out in open spaces and extends in awide area (e.g. forest conflagration).

-   -   GR1007732 (Krekoukis), which relates to a fire extinguishing        device comprising a fan for creating a powerful air stream of        high velocity and a funnel guiding the air flow in the desired        direction, said funnel being coaxial with the fan impeller, its        cross section being reduced from its inlet to its outlet. It is        evident that this document represents the closest prior art,        however the disclosed device still has substantial differences        from the present invention. In particular, as shown in the        figures and as can be deduced by the fact that the air flow        guiding funnel is coaxial with the fan impeller, the fan is of        an axial type. Besides, although GR1007732 speaks of a “high        velocity air stream”, it remains silent as to the magnitude of        said velocity. Prototypes of the device of GR1007732 which were        tested did not achieve adequately high air velocities and the        outgoing flow was quite turbulent because of the twirling motion        imparted to the air by the impeller. As a result, neither good        control of the jet's direction nor a long jet range was        attained.

A substantial improvement to the device of GR1007732 is realised by thepresent invention, by replacing the axial fan with a centrifugal fanhaving a spiral housing. Centrifugal fans are better suited forapplications not just of greater air flow rate (and therefore of higherair velocity) but also of higher static pressure compared to axial fans,which means that the air jet is capable of overcoming adverse weatherconditions, e.g. strong winds blowing against it. A centrifugal fangenerally adds more energy per mass unit to the air flowingtherethrough, it has a higher efficiency and the flow coming out of thespiral housing is more laminar. It therefore produces a highlydirectional jet beam of a range long enough to put out a fire, while thefiremen-device operators are at a safe distance therefrom.

In GR1007732 the air stream itself was reported as the fireextinguishing medium. Spraying water or another liquid fireextinguishing medium (claims 12, 15) was “optional”. Hence the devicewas standalone, in the sense that it did not need any source e.g. ofwater to perform its fire extinguishing function. However, tests showeda significant difference in the effectiveness of the device in thepresence and in the absence of water. Therefore the device of thepresent invention is related to a spray jet and not just to a plain airstream.

Finally, as in GR1007732, the fire extinguishing device in the presentapplication may be portable, mounted on a land vehicle (it can even beretrofitted to existing fire engines) or even airborne, e.g. suspendedfrom a helicopter. Each of these embodiments of the device has beenredesigned in the present application, to include substantialimprovements and overcome individual technical problems. The commondenominator of all the embodiments, imparting unity to the invention, isof course the centrifugal fan with the spiral housing and the highvelocity of the outgoing air stream, and consequently of the dischargedspray jet, achieved thereby. For each embodiment, a suitable support formounting the fan with the spiral housing, the motor and the other partsof the device has been designed.

Hereafter are described certain exemplary and non-limiting embodimentsof the invention by reference to the attached figures. It should benoted that wherever in the application terms expressing a relativeposition or direction are met, such as “front”, “back”/“rear”/“behind”,“left”, “right”, “up”/“upwards”,“down”/“downwards”/“under”/“underneath”, these are to be construedeither in relation to the position the device operator assumes duringits manipulation, or in relation to the direction of the dischargedspray jet when it comes to remotely controlled versions of the device.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 depicts a remotely controlled version of the device to be mountedon a land vehicle, in a use position (upright), in perspective view,from the right back side.

FIG. 2 shows the same device in perspective view, from the left backside.

FIG. 3 shows the central support pillar of the device in cross section.

FIG. 4 shows the device in a position for transport (reclined).

FIGS. 5a and 5b depict the device with two different types of impeller(the right side of the spiral housing having been removed).

FIG. 6 shows a manually operated version of the device for mounting on aland vehicle, in a use position (upright), in perspective view, from theright back side.

FIG. 7 illustrates another embodiment of the remotely controlled versionof the device, mounted at the front of the vehicle.

FIG. 8 shows in plan view the range of motions in the horizontal planeof the embodiment of FIG. 7.

FIG. 9 shows the remotely controlled version of the device of FIGS. 1-4,in a use position (upright), mounted on the roof of a vehicle.

FIG. 10 shows the device of FIG. 9 in a position for transport(reclined).

FIG. 11 shows the remotely controlled version of the device of FIGS.1-4, adapted to the end of an articulated arm mounted on a vehicle, in aposition for transport.

FIG. 12 shows the device of FIG. 11 in a use position, with the armextended.

FIG. 13 illustrates the main parts of the hydraulic circuit and theelectronic control circuit of the remotely controlled version of thedevice.

FIG. 14 depicts the version of the device for aerial fire-fightingoperations in a position for transport by a trailer, in perspectiveview, from the right back side.

FIG. 15 shows the same device airborne, in perspective view, from thefront right side.

FIG. 16 shows said device in a use position, suspended from ahelicopter.

FIG. 17 depicts the portable version of the device in perspective view,from the left back side.

FIG. 18 shows the same device, in perspective view, from the front rightside.

FIG. 19 shows the fireman-operator's vest with the mounting support ofthe centrifugal fan and the engine driving it detached, in perspectiveview, from the left back side.

FIG. 20 illustrates a detail of FIG. 19, showing the mechanism forlocking the mounting support to the vest and releasing it therefrom.

FIG. 21 shows another embodiment of the portable device with a differentfan arrangement, in perspective view, from the right back side.

MODES FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

In the remotely controlled version (10) of the device (FIGS. 1-4) whichis to be mounted on a land vehicle, either self-propelled or towed, allthe required motions—impeller rotation, rotation of spiral housingaround a vertical axis (left-right rotation) and around a horizontalaxis (change of inclination, up-down), reclining of housing fortransport—are effected via hydraulic motors and cylinders. Part of thehydraulic and electric circuits, which may be located in another part ofthe vehicle, even remote from the device, is shown in FIG. 13.

The hydraulic circuits are preferably supplied with oil by a double pumparrangement (44), consisting of two fluidly independent pumps, withseparate inlets and outlets, mounted on a common shaft so that they aredriven by the same motor, e.g. the vehicle's diesel engine. Thehydraulic circuit (45) which rotatively drives the hydraulic motor (2),said motor in turn driving the impeller of the centrifugal fan with thespiral housing (1) is separate, i.e. it is fed by one of the two pumps(specifically the one which produces the highest pressure difference),so that no fluctuations in the rotational speed of said motor (2) andconsequently of the impeller occur when other hydraulic parts areactivated or deactivated. Hydraulic motor (2) is supported at a point ofthe spiral housing's (1) circumference, its shaft (3) being parallel tothe impeller shaft (4). Each shaft is mounted within its own hub (5) viabearings, the impeller shaft (4) being driven by the motor shaft (3) viaa multiple V-ribbed belt (7) running on multi-groove pulleys (6). Thebelt-pulley transmission is covered by a protective cover (8), toeliminate the risk of any person getting injured or of objects gettingcaught, causing damage to the device or being damaged themselves. Ofcourse the hydraulic motor-to-impeller transmission may be implementedin other ways, known in the art, such as a chain-and-sprocket drive or adirect coupling of their shafts.

Air suction is effected through the spiral housing (1) centre, which iscovered by a protective mesh (9) to inhibit entrainment of debristherein. The impeller imparting energy to the air may be of differenttypes and sizes, its selection depending on the motor power, on thedesirable characteristics of the discharged spray jet beam and on cost.Thus, the impeller may have four or more blades, which may be straight,forward- or backward-curved (fans with backward-curved blades havehigher efficiency). Furthermore, in case there is no particularrestriction with regard to the spiral housing (1) width, the impellermay be multi-stage, i.e. there may be more than one impellers mounted ona common shaft, the housing being shaped internally so that air comingout of one impeller flows into the next and higher pressures areproduced. In FIGS. 5a and 5b , where the right side of the spiralhousing (1) has been removed to make its interior visible, the impellerhas six straight blades of variable height (their height increaseslinearly from the centre towards the periphery until about the middle ofthe impeller radius and thereafter remains constant). The differencebetween the two figures lies in that the impeller in FIG. 5a issemi-closed (11), i.e. it has a circular plate attached on one side ofthe blades, whereas in FIG. 5b it is closed (12), i.e. both sides of theblades are covered by plates (one of the plates having a sizeableaperture, of course, for the air to be drawn therethrough).

A funnel (13) of gradually reduced cross section is fitted to the spiralhousing (1) outlet, causing acceleration of the air flow. It isconnected to a cylindrical duct-outlet (14), so that the outgoing airstream is straightened. Since the spiral housing (1) outlet is of squarecross section, the funnel (13) is itself a square-to-round reducer. Incase there are obstacles in the line of the discharged spray jet to thefire, which cannot be circumvented by turning the device to the left orto the right or by changing its inclination (up-down), a flexible duct(15) may be fitted to the device outlet, it being possible via said ductto direct the spray jet to the desired point while avoiding saidobstacles.

To produce the spray, hydraulic piping is provided near the spiralhousing (1) outlet, a part of it being outside the housing and ending ata fitting connection (16) to a source of water or other liquid fireextinguishing medium (e.g. a quick coupler), its other part being withinthe housing and having one or more spray nozzles (17). To the fittingconnection (16) may be connected either an “external” liquid supplyhose, i.e. a hose lying completely outside the device, or an “internal”liquid supply hose (18), part of which passes through the central,rotatable support pillar (19) of the device, as will be described below,so as to be able to follow the device throughout its whole range ofmotions without running the risk of excessive twisting.

The form of the spray (droplet size, jet beam velocity and range)depends on two parameters, which may be adjusted as desired by thedevice operator: the liquid flow rate, which is adjustable via a valvein the hydraulic circuit supplying liquid to the spray nozzles (17), andthe air flow rate, which is determined by the rotational speed of thefan impeller. To adjust the latter, the operator instructs via a wiredor wireless remote control (47) the control panel (58) to open or closethe electrovalve (48) of the hydraulic circuit (52) supplying hydraulicmotor (2) with oil, thus regulating said motor's rotational speed andconsequently that of the impeller. Alternatively, electrovalve (48) maybe omitted, the control of the hydraulic motor's (2) rotational speedbeing effected by varying the revolutions of the engine driving thedouble oil pump (44) via a suitable actuator, which is again instructedvia the remote control (47).

To change the inclination of the spray jet beam in the vertical plane(up-down), the lateral surfaces of the spiral housing (1) close to itscircumference are pivotally connected to a U-shaped upper base (20). Thepivot points (21), (22) are located on the two arms of the “U” anddefine an imaginable horizontal axis around which the spiral housing (1)may rotate, thereby changing the inclination of the outlet duct [housing(1) outlet—funnel (13)—cylindrical duct (14)]. Rotation is effected bythe action of a hydraulic cylinder (23) whose one end is pivotallyconnected to one of the arms of the “U”, its other end being pivotallyconnected to the respective lateral surface of the spiral housing (1).In the arrangement shown in FIG. 2, where both ends of the hydrauliccylinder (23) are behind the vertical plane in which lies the imaginablehorizontal axis of rotation of the housing (1), when the cylinder rod isextended the outlet duct is lowered, whereas when the rod is retractedthe outlet duct is raised. Cylinder (23) is supplied with oil byhydraulic circuit (54) and its movement is controlled by electrovalve(50), which is again instructed via the remote control (47). To preventtwisting of the hoses (24) supplying oil to the hydraulic motor (2)driving the impeller during the movement of the device in a verticalplane (up-down), said hoses have rotary couplings (25) near theirconnection points to the motor (2).

Underneath the horizontal plate of the U-shaped upper base (20) there isa second, rectangular plate-lower base (26), which is pivotallyconnected to the upper base (20) via one or more hinges (27), along oneedge which is perpendicular to a plane parallel to the “U”-shape of theupper base. The upper base (20) may therefore swivel with respect to thelower base (26) and be lifted, thus causing the spiral housing (1) torecline in a position for transport (in the arrangement of FIG. 4,reclining takes place to the right). Reclining with the help of “double”base (20), (26) serves in the transport of the device when it is mountedon the roof of a fire engine, because this way only a small increase ofthe vehicle height occurs, still allowing it to pass through openings oflimited height, e.g. under bridges (see FIGS. 9, 10). Furthermore, thevehicle's stability is not adversely affected. Reclining is effected viaa hydraulic cylinder (28), whose one end is pivotally connected to therotatable jacket (29) of the support pillar (19)—which will be describedin detail below—its other end being pivotally connected to the arm ofthe U-shaped upper base (20) which is on the same side as the hinge(s)(27). Thus, cylinder (28) follows the motion of the device as it turnsto the left or to the right. When the cylinder rod is retracted theupper base (20) swivels away from the lower base (26) and the spiralhousing (1) is reclined in a position for transport. When, on the otherhand, the cylinder rod is extended, the upper base (20) swivels againabout hinge(s) (27) and sits on the lower base, the spiral housing (1)coming back to an upright position, the device being thus ready for use.

Cylinder (28) is supplied with oil by hydraulic circuit (53) andmovement of its rod is controlled via electrovalve (49). Alternativelyand in order to reduce manufacturing costs, the two hydraulic circuits(53), (54), of the cylinder (28) for reclining the device and of thecylinder (23) for changing the inclination angle of the spray jet beamin the vertical plane respectively, may be merged into one and theelectrovalve (49) which controls reclining of the device may bedispensed with. In this case the cylinder (28) for reclining the deviceis supplied with oil via two hoses which branch off the supply andreturn hoses of hydraulic circuit (54) and are provided with two manualvalves (30). When the device is in a position for transport and it isdesired to bring it to a use position, valves (30) are opened, wherebyelectrovalve (50) supplies with oil both the cylinder (28) for recliningthe device, which lifts the spiral housing (1) to an upright position,and the cylinder (23), which simultaneously rotates the housing (1)around the axis defined by the pivot points (21), (22). The secondmotion may be superfluous but does not affect the first, desired motion.Thereafter manual valves (30) are closed and cylinder (28), which is notrequired during use of the device, is isolated. Electrovalve (50) nowonly controls hydraulic cylinder (23), i.e. the inclination of the sprayjet beam in the vertical plane. Once use of the device has beencompleted, it is brought back to its position for transport by openingmanual valves (30) and giving an instruction to electrovalve (50) tosupply oil for a very brief period, in order to initiate retraction ofhydraulic cylinder (28). Thus a small inclination is imparted to thespiral housing (1) and further retraction of cylinder (28) takes placewithout any other action required from the operator, under the effect ofthe weight of the housing and of other parts of the device, until saiddevice is fully reclined.

Rotation of the device in the horizontal plane (left-right), with anynumber of complete turns in the same direction (continuous circularsweeping) being possible, is effected via a central, rotatable supportpillar (19). In a conventional support arrangement which allows forrotation around a vertical axis the pillar is fixed and hollow, a shaftcarrying the rotating parts being rotatively mounted within the pillar'scavity via bearings. In the case of the present invention, where thereare several oil supply and return hoses to and from hydraulic motors andcylinders, such a support arrangement would not allow wide angles ofrotation of the device, since the hoses would be twisted and pulledexcessively or get tangled, given that their connection points to otherparts of the hydraulic circuits are fixed.

Therefore support pillar (19) has a reverse configuration, i.e. it has afixed internal trunk, which functions as a central oil distributor (31)to the various hydraulic parts (motors, cylinders) the device isequipped with, and a rotatable external jacket (29) with radiallyoriented through holes (32) having connectors for connecting oil hosesleading to said hydraulic parts. The rotatable jacket (29) is attachedto the lower base (26). Therefore, when the jacket (29) rotates, theupper (20) and lower (26) base, the spiral housing (1) and the hydraulicparts (motors and cylinders) all rotate along with it, their motionsbeing followed by the oil hoses supplying said hydraulic parts with oil,without any twisting of said hoses taking place.

More specifically, the support pillar (19) has a fixed base (33) whichis bolted to the mounting surface of the device. A gear wheel (34) isfixedly connected to the base (33), its symmetry axis being vertical.The central oil distributor (31) is also fastened to the base (33), viaa retaining ring (35). The external jacket (29) surrounds thedistributor (31) and may rotate around it via two bearings, upper (36)and lower (37). Rotation of jacket (29) is effected via a hydraulicmotor (38), which is mounted on the jacket itself having its driveshaftvertically oriented, said driveshaft carrying a pinion (39) whichengages with the big, fixed gear wheel (34) of the base (33). Thus, whenthe driveshaft of hydraulic motor (38) rotates, pinion (39) rolls on thetoothing of fixed gear wheel (34), resulting in that the motor (38)itself revolves about the central axis of the support pillar (19) and atthe same time entrains the external jacket (29) into rotation aroundsame axis. Motor (38) is supplied with oil from a hydraulic circuit(55), the speed and direction of rotation of its driveshaft, andconsequently of the whole device, being controlled via an electrovalve(51).

Both the fixed support base (33) and the fixed gear wheel (34) havecentrally located apertures, so that oil supply and return hoses/pipesof the aforementioned hydraulic circuits (52), (53), (54) and (55)coming from electrovalves (48), (49), (50) and (51) may passtherethrough and connect to orifices (40) at the bottom of the centraloil distributor (31) via suitable connectors. The distributor (31) isgenerally in the form of a vertically disposed cylinder. The orifices(40) at its bottom are the inlets to axial channels extending within thecylinder, each to a different length, then curving to extend radiallyoutwards and let out at the bottom of circular grooves (41) located onthe cylinder circumference (said grooves being oriented so that their“bottoms” are substantially parallel to the vertical axis). The internalwall of the rotatable jacket (29) in conjunction with the grooves (41)of the cylindrical distributor and with seals (42) provided at thelateral walls of grooves (41) define separate, leakproof annular oilchambers. Adjacent oil chambers are separated and sealed with respect toeach other via a single seal (42). The external jacket (29) of thesupport pillar (19) has a radial through hole (32) opposite each groove(41), said through hole having, as already mentioned, a connector forconnecting an oil hose leading to one of the hydraulic motors (2), (38)or cylinders (23), (28). The presence of the annular chambers on thecentral distributor (31) ensures an uninterrupted oil supply to thesehydraulic parts, regardless of the rotation angle of the device to theleft or to the right. It is obvious that two grooves (41) on the centraldistributor (31), i.e. two annular oil chambers, correspond to each ofthe hydraulic circuits (52), (53), (54), (55), one for the supply andone for the return line.

It should be noted that the distributor's (31) cylinder may have anaxial through hole at its centre and the upper (20) and lower (26) basemay have corresponding through holes, so that the aforementioned“internal” hose (18) supplying water or other liquid fire extinguishingmedium may pass therethrough. Alternatively, the axial through hole ofthe distributor (31) may constitute itself part of the internal hose orpipe (18). In any case, the hose/pipe (18) has a rotary coupling (43) ata suitable point of its vertical route, so as to be able to follow themotion of the device to the left or to the right without being twisted.

A retaining ring (142) is fastened on top of the central oil distributor(31), forming a shoulder for the internal ring of the jacket's (29)upper bearing (36), which inhibits dislodgement of said bearing in anupward direction. Since the external ring of bearing (36) and therotatable jacket (29) have a tight fit, the retaining ring (142) alsoprevents any undesired upward movement of jacket (29) under the effectof oil pressures developed within the central support pillar (19).

As mentioned above, the hydraulic circuit (45) which includes one of thetwo pumps of the double oil pump (44), namely the one producing higherstatic pressure, supplies with oil the circuit (52) of hydraulic motor(2) which drives the centrifugal fan impeller. The circuit (46) of thesecond pump, i.e. the one producing lower pressure, supplies all theother hydraulic circuits (53), (54), (55) of the cylinder (28) forreclining the device, the cylinder (23) for changing the inclinationangle of the spray jet beam in the vertical plane and the motor (38) forturning the device to the left or to the right, respectively. All thereturn lines merge into a common return circuit (56) which ends in acommon oil return tank (57). Finally, as shown in FIG. 13, the centralcontrol panel (58) is instructed via remote control (47) and controlselectrovalves (48), (49), (50) and (51) via low voltage circuitry (59).

In the manually operated version (60) of the device for mounting on aland vehicle, which is depicted in FIG. 6, hydraulic cylinders (28),(23) and motor (38) for turning the device to the left or to the righthave been dispensed with, together with their respective hydrauliccircuits. Only hydraulic motor (2) which drives the centrifugal impellerfan remains, the electrovalve (48) having been removed from itshydraulic circuit, and oil is no longer supplied by a double pump (44)arrangement but by a single pump. Remote control (47) has been replacedby a control (61) located on the spiral housing (1), the hoses (24)supplying oil to the motor (2) passing through said control, which alsohas a manometer (62) and a lever or other suitable means (63) foradjusting the oil flow rate and thereby the rotational speed of theimpeller and the velocity of the discharged spray jet.

Due to the presence of a single hydraulic motor (2), only two annularoil chambers are required in the central support pillar (19), whichmeans that the central oil distributor (31) has only two grooves (41)and the rotatable external jacket (29) has two radial through holes(32).

Bringing the device from the upright position (use position) of FIG. 6to the reclined position for transport (as in FIG. 4) and vice versa isdone manually. The device may be secured in an upright position bylocking the upper base (20) and the lower base (26) together via a latch(64) when the first base sits on top of the second base. Thus, thedevice may be used without the risk that the spiral housing (1) will beoverturned to the side.

The pair of gears (34), (39) is no longer being used to rotate thedevice to the left or to the right. A U-shaped handle (65) is pivotallyconnected to the back side of the spiral housing (1), with a lockingmechanism (66) of its pivot points at the desired angle, so that theposition of the handle (65) may be suitably adjusted according to theoperator's height. The exertion of a force on the handle (65) by theoperator towards the left or the right causes a collective rotation inthe opposite direction of the spiral housing (1), the pair of bases(20), (26) and the jacket (29), which is fastened to the lower base (26)and mounted on bearings (30), (34).

It should be underlined that the arms of the “U” of the upper base (20)are longer in the manually operated version (FIG. 6) of the device (60)and that the pivot points (21), (22) which define the imaginablehorizontal axis around which the spiral housing (1) rotates to adjustthe inclination of the spray jet beam in the vertical plane (up-down)have been moved backwards and upwards on the housing (1) compared to theremotely controlled version (FIGS. 1, 2) of the device (10). The reasonfor this is that, due to the conservation of momentum principle, thehigh velocity of the discharged spray jet beam results into movement ofthe housing (1) at a high speed in the opposite direction (anticlockwisein the view of FIG. 6), which the operator is obliged to restrain.Altering the position of the pivot points (21), (22) leads tocontainment of the aforementioned “recoil”, because the weight of thedevice generates a moment in the opposite direction (clockwise in FIG.6). Thus the operator needs only exert a small force on the handle (65)in order to raise or lower the spray jet beam. Once the use of thedevice has been completed, the operator lets the spiral housing (1)pivot downwards slowly and rest gently on the resilient supports (69)which are fastened to the upper base (20).

In order to facilitate the assembly of the device, one arm of the“U”—the left one (68) in FIG. 6—is removable. Moreover, the initial partof the oil supply and return lines starting from the through holes (32)of the jacket (29) is rigid and arranged mainly in a horizontaldirection, so that the elastic hoses (24) which are connected to theends of the rigid pipes (70) start at an adequate distance from thesupport pillar (19) and that the additional length of said hoses whichis required in order for the device to be able to cover a wide range ofinclination angles of the spray jet beam (up-down) is not enough for thehoses to touch the “ground” (i.e. the vehicle surface the device ismounted on) and be dragged upon it with the risk of getting tangledsomewhere.

Last but not least, the manually operated version of the device (60) mayobviously be mounted on the roof of a land vehicle, e.g. a fire engine,as shown in FIGS. 9 and 10.

The differences between the remotely controlled (10) and the manuallyoperated (60) versions of the device of the present application comparedto the device depicted in FIGS. 4-7 of patent GR1007732 are so many andso clear that the aforementioned remark about redesigning the device isperfectly justified. Apart from the adoption of the centrifugal fan withthe spiral housing (1), the new device is superior to the old one forother reasons, the following being mentioned by way of example:

-   -   Designing the central oil distributor (31) and the external        rotatable jacket (29) so that annular oil chambers are formed        within the central support pillar (19) gives the device the        ability to rotate in full circles in the same direction        (continuous circular sweeping). Rotation of the device to the        left or to the right is performed freely, without any risk of        twisting, pulling or tangling of the hoses supplying oil to the        hydraulic parts (motors and/or cylinders) which it carries or of        the hose supplying water or other fire extinguishing medium to        the spray nozzles (17). This is a technical problem which had        not even been discussed in GR1007732.    -   The new device may be reclined to its position for transport        quickly and easily. The big funnel of the axial fan, which had        to be removed before reclining the old device and then        disassembled in two halves in order to take up less space, is no        longer present. Furthermore, in the remotely controlled version        (10) of the device reclining is effected via a hydraulic        cylinder (28), whose motion is controlled by the remote control        (47).

In order to mount the device at the front or the rear part of a landvehicle, the support arrangements which have been described above,either for the remotely controlled (10) (FIGS. 1, 2) or for the manuallyoperated (60) (FIG. 6) version of the device, may be employed, providedthat an extension for mounting the central support pillar (19) upon isfastened to the vehicle. In this case the reclining feature of thespiral housing (1) is of course redundant, hence the lower base (26) andthe one or more hinges (27) may be omitted and the rotatable jacket (29)may be attached directly to the U-shaped base (20). Likewise, thecylinder (28) for reclining the device and its respective hydrauliccircuit (53) may be omitted from the remotely controlled version (10) ofthe device. In spite of these simplifications to the device, theaforementioned mounting arrangement, wherein the base (20) and thepillar (19) are located substantially centrally under the spiralhousing, has the disadvantage that the extension for mounting the deviceupon must project to a substantial extent, so that the support pillar(19) is at an adequate distance from the front or rear part of thevehicle to allow free rotation of the device to the left or to the rightduring its use. Besides, there is no reason for the device to be capableof describing a full circle (a 360° angle) when it is mounted at thefront or rear part of the vehicle, since the vehicle itself wouldobstruct the discharge of the spray jet beam in its direction.

Therefore, FIG. 7 illustrates a modified version of the device, suitablefor mounting at the front or rear part of the vehicle (here shownmounted at the front). The main modification is that the two bases ofthe spiral housing (1), i.e. the U-shaped base (20) and the fixedplate-base (26), are now arranged vertically (i.e. the plane which isparallel to the “U”-shape of base (20) is now horizontal) and locatedbehind the housing instead of being under it, the axis (axes) of thehinge(s) (27) connecting said bases now being vertical, not horizontal.The device support pillar (71) bearing the fixed plate-base (26) is afixed, simple pillar without a central oil distributor and a rotatableexternal jacket. The extension (72) upon which the whole device ismounted projects slightly from the front of the vehicle and is shownfastened to its bumper (73).

The support pillar (71) has a bracket (74) extending perpendicularlythereto, one end of a hydraulic cylinder (75) being pivotally connectedto said bracket, its other end being also pivotally connected to theU-arm of base (20) being on the same side as the hinge(s) (27). Thus, inthe configuration of FIG. 7, when the cylinder rod is retracted, base(20) moves away from the fixed plate-base (26) swiveling about thehinge(s) (27), and the spiral housing (1) turns to the left, whereaswhen the rod is extended, the housing (1) turns to the right. In thisway the device can cover a rotation angle of about 180° (see FIG. 8). InFIG. 7 the housing (1) is shown at its far right position, which issuitable for transport of the device, since in this position the deviceprojects the least from the vehicle.

The hydraulic cylinder (75) has actually taken the place of thehydraulic motor (38) used with the other aforementioned embodiments ofthe invention, since rotation of the device to the left or to the rightis now effected via said cylinder. Both the cylinder (23) for changingthe inclination angle of the spray jet beam in the vertical plane andthe hydraulic motor (2) driving the impeller remain. Rotary couplings(25) are used to protect the hoses (24) supplying oil to the motor (2)from excessive twist.

FIG. 11 shows the remotely controlled version (10) of the device (FIGS.1, 2) mounted on one end of an articulated arm (76) fitted to a landvehicle. This embodiment aims at tackling fires in tall buildings,raising the device above obstacles and generally at increasing theoperating height and range of the device. The arm (76) shown in thefigure consists of four parts, this feature not being mandatory ofcourse: the turret (77), which is rotatable around a vertical axis via ahydraulic motor (78), the telescopic member (79) whose length isadjustable via sliding, nested extensions (80), the intermediate member(81) and the distal member (82), on which is mounted the device. Each ofthe three last parts is pivotally connected to its preceding part and isrotatable in a vertical plane with respect to said preceding part via ahydraulic cylinder (83), (84) or (85). Cylinders (83) and (84) serve thepurpose of lifting the telescopic member (79) and the intermediatemember (81) respectively, and cylinder (85) serves at leveling thedistal member (82) and the device. All the motions of the articulatedarm are controlled via a control panel (141) located on the vehicle or,alternatively, via a remote control.

FIGS. 14-16 depict a version of the device for aerial fire-fightingoperations (90), which may be suspended from a helicopter (or fromanother aircraft with the ability to hover or to fly at a low speed),e.g. via steel cables (86). The device includes a Pi-shaped (i.e. havingthe shape of the capital letter “π” of the Greek alphabet) reservoir(87) for water or other fire extinguishing liquid, having lugs (88) fortying the cables (86) to on its top. The frame (89) on which all otherparts of the device are mounted is located within the cavity of the Piand fastened to the internal sides of the reservoir.

The device of FIGS. 1, 2 is mounted on the bottom side of the frame (89)in the inverse sense, the central pillar (19) and the bases (20), (26)“looking” downwards. A video camera (101) is also fitted to the bottomside of the frame, providing the operator with images of the areabeneath and around the device.

Mounted on the top side of the frame (89) is the petrol or diesel engine(91) of the device with its fuel tank, which drives the already knownfrom previous embodiments double oil pump (44), the water or other fireextinguishing liquid pump (92), pumping liquid from the reservoir (87)to the spray nozzles (17) of the device, and a generator producingelectricity to cover the device's power requirements. On the top side ofthe frame are also mounted numerous hydraulic parts of the device, e.g.the electrovalves, the return oil tank (57) and the electric-electroniccontrol systems.

Two arms (93) are pivotally connected to the rear side of the frame(89), each one having a propeller (94) on one end, rotatable within ashroud (95) via a coaxial hydraulic motor (96). Propellers (94) may bemoved via hydraulic cylinders (97) from a first position for transport(FIG. 14), wherein the arms (93) are folded behind the reservoir (87),to a second position for use (FIG. 15), wherein the arms (93) and theirrespective propellers (94) project laterally from different sides of thereservoir (87)—left and right. Both the hydraulic cylinders (97) and thehydraulic motors (96) are fed by the double oil pump (44) arrangement.

The propellers (94) rotate at suitable speeds to counterbalance theforces of generally variable direction exerted on the device by thewind, the discharged spray jet beam and the suspension cables (86)during movement of the helicopter, so that oscillations and instabilityare avoided. Balance is ensured via a gyroscope (98) borne by thedevice, which instructs a control panel (99) to appropriately adjust theoil supply to the two hydraulic motors (96). Through the relativeadjustment of the rotational speeds of propellers (94) a small rotationof the whole device to the left or to the right may be achieved, evenwhen the helicopter hovers steadily.

Finally, a seat (100) may be fitted to the front side of the frame (89),equipped with controls so that the device may be fully operated by aperson seated therein. Alternatively, the use of the device is effectedfrom inside the helicopter via a remote control (47), with the help ofthe images provided by the downlooking video camera (101).

It should be noted that in case it is not possible for the helicopter tocarry the version of the device for aerial fire-fighting operations (90)right from the start, the device may be delivered close to the area onfire by a land vehicle, e.g. on a trailer (FIG. 14). Once suspended fromthe helicopter and brought over its field of action, the device maycover a circular area of long radius on the ground, as the dischargedspray jet beam describes the surface of the respective cone—see FIG. 16.

A simple comparison of the drawings of the version of the device foraerial operations (90) in the present application with FIGS. 10-12 ofthe device in patent GR1007732 reveals numerous differences between thetwo. Apart from the fact that the new device uses a centrifugal fan witha spiral housing (1) mounted on a central, rotatable support pillar(19), the following differences are mentioned by way of example:

-   -   The new device preferably uses propellers (94) for its        stabilisation or navigation (left-right rotation), although        turbines or other propulsion means may be used as well.    -   A gyroscope (98) is present to ensure stability.    -   The presence of the video camera (101) allows the new device to        be remotely controlled.    -   The new device is nearly self-sufficient, since it comprises a        water or other fire extinguishing liquid reservoir (87) along        with its supply pump (92), a fuel tank and a generator,        depending on the helicopter solely for its suspension. This        feature, which had only been vaguely mentioned as a possibility        in GR1007732, is now a fundamental design choice, as it ensures        a quick and easy connection of the device to the helicopter.

The portable device (110) of FIGS. 17-20 consists of two subunitsattached to each other, with the option of one being rapidly releasedfrom the other, even when the device is in use.

The first subunit is the vest (102), worn by the fireman-operator of thedevice. It consists of a backplate (104) made of flexible plastic, towhich are attached both the straps (105) going over the operator'sshoulders and the belt (106) to be tied round his waist. The shoulderstraps (105) are secured via transverse straps with clip locks (107) atchest height. A plain female socket block (108) is located at the upperpart of the backplate (104), having a blind hole (109) of cylindricalshape in its bottom side, with no locking mechanism. Two female socketblocks (111) are located at the bottom part of the backplate (104), oneto the left and one to the right, each having a continuous openingextending along its rear and bottom side, and a locking and quickrelease mechanism (112) which shall be described in detail hereafter.

The second subunit (103) is made up by the rest of the device parts,i.e. the metallic support frame (113) which is attached to a centralbase (114), metallic as well, said base having mounted thereon a petrolor diesel engine (115) with its fuel tank, the centrifugal fan with thespiral housing (1), its impeller shaft being parallel to the engine's(115) driveshaft, the impeller drive system (116)—consisting of animpeller pulley (117) and a motor pulley (118) coupled via a belt (119),their respective shafts (120), (121) rotating within hubs via bearings(122), (123)—and other parts. The impeller (116) may of course be drivenby motor (115) in another way, known in the art, e.g. via achain-and-sprocket drive or via a direct coupling of its shaft to themotor's driveshaft.

Before the portable device (110) can be used, the second subunit (103)is attached to the vest (102), which is worn by the operator. A tubularextension (124) is attached to the outlet of the spiral housing (1),being substantially horizontal and extending to one side of the operatorat the height of the waist belt (106), ending at a frustoconical funnel(13) of gradually reduced cross section. The tubular extension (124)comprises a piece of flexible tube (125) at a convenient for theoperator place along its length and the part of the tubular extension(124) downstream of said flexible tube (125) bears a handle (126), sothat the operator may aim the spray jet beam discharged from the funnelin the desired direction to put out the fire.

To create the spray, one or more spray nozzles (not shown) are providedinside the tubular extension (124), being fitted to a pipe which has afitting connection (127) to a source of water or other liquid fireextinguishing medium outside the tubular extension, e.g. via a quickcoupler, as well as a manual valve (128) for adjusting the liquid flowrate, at a position easily accessible by the operator.

The source of liquid may theoretically be a liquid tank borne by theoperator, forming part of the second subunit (103). Liquid may besupplied to the spray nozzles by a mechanically driven pump, which isdriven by the same engine (115) that drives the fan impeller (116).Alternatively, the liquid tank may be a membrane pressure vessel with aninert gas under pressure on the other side of the membrane. Finally, thesupply of liquid to the spray nozzles may also be effected throughgravity, by placing the liquid tank high within the second subunit(103). In any case, the liquid tank may be of limited capacity only,otherwise the weight of the device would increase excessively.Therefore, a device which includes the water or other fire extinguishingliquid tank, although self-sufficient, is capable of putting out onlysmall fires, which could have also been tackled by a common 6 kg drypowder fire extinguisher. Such fires could be tackled by the device evenwithout liquid, by the sole force of the discharged air stream. Hence,the principal use of the portable device (110) relates to fighting firesof a medium or large size, by connecting it to an external source ofwater or other fire extinguishing liquid, e.g. a hydrant, a fire engineetc.

Both the ignition switch (129) of the engine (115) and the throttletrigger (130) are located on the handle (126). To start the engine (115)it is necessary not only to set the ignition switch (129) to the “ON”position, but also to pull on the starter cord (131) by its T-shapedhandle. When the engine (115) starts, the centrifugal fan impeller (116)begins to rotate, drawing air through the centre of the spiral housing(1), through a protective mesh (9) inhibiting entrainment of debristherein, and supplying it to the tubular extension (124) and the outletfunnel (13). Through the throttle trigger (130) the operator may adjustthe engine (115) revolutions and thereby the rotational speed of theimpeller (116) and the discharged air stream velocity and flow rate. Byopening the valve (128), he also supplies the device with the quantityof liquid necessary to form the spray, said quantity being alsoadjustable at will.

After putting out the fire the operator deactivates the device byclosing the valve (128) and thus interrupting the flow of liquid, and bysetting the switch (129) to the “OFF” position and thus switching offthe engine (115).

A locking and quick release mechanism (112) is provided for attachingthe second subunit (103) to the operator's vest (102). The reason forthis is that when the fireman-operator of the device (110) attempts toput out a fire, there is always the possibility that he finds himself atrisk, e.g. when the wind direction and intensity change suddenly and theflames approach him or when an explosion occurs nearby, especially sincethe device comprises a liquid fuel tank as well. Therefore, in case ofdanger the fireman must be able to flee immediately, the weight of thedevice (110) hanging from his back making this extremely difficult. Eventhe small amount of time needed to release the chest clip locks (107)and undo his waist belt (106) may prove valuable in saving his life.

Therefore, the locking and quick release mechanism (112) comprises twopins (132) for locking the support frame (113) to the female socketblocks (111). The locking pins (132) are adapted to be displacedhorizontally in the plane of the rear side of the female socket blocks(111), within respective recesses (133) arranged laterally within saidblocks. Displacement takes place between a “closed” position (FIG. 20),in which part of each pin (132) projects from the recess (133) and barsthe bottom part of the opening in the rear side of the respective block(111) and an “open” position, in which the whole pin (132) is retractedwithin the recess (133). The locking pins (132) are normally in the“closed” position, biased to project from the recesses (133) by returnsprings (134). In order to enable displacement to the “open” position,each locking pin (132) is connected to a cable (135), which may pullsaid pin along its longitudinal axis back inside its respective recess(133), compressing the return spring (134). The two cables meet at acable splitter (136), so that they may be simultaneously acted upon by athird cable (135) which is led round the front to the operator, so thathe may pull on it via the quick release handle (137).

The support frame (113) has a cylindrical stub (138) extendingvertically upwards from its upper part for insertion into the blind hole(109) of the vest's plain female socket block (108). The fit is looseand there is no locking feature, so that the cylindrical stub (138) mayreadily come out of the blind hole (109) in a downward direction. At itslower part and in positions corresponding to the female socket blocks(111), the support frame (113) has two metal hooks (139) of “inverted L”shape, the horizontal member of the inverted L being welded to thesupport frame (113), its vertical member being free.

In order to attach the second subunit of the device to the vest, theoperator mounts the plain female socket block (108) on the support framecylindrical stub (138), then pulls on the quick release handle (137) tomake the locking pins (132) retire within their recesses (133) andinserts the inverted L-shaped hooks (139) of the support frame into thefemale socket blocks (111). Once the operator lets go of the handle(137), the return springs (134) push the locking pins (132) to their“closed” position, the second subunit (103) now being firmly attached tothe vest (102). The horizontal members of the inverted L-shaped hooks(139) sit on the pins (132), while their vertical members prevent thesupport frame (113) from coming out of the female socket blocks (111).

In case of danger, the fireman-operator of the device (110) can be freedfrom the second subunit (103) by a simple pull on the quick releasehandle (137). The cables (135) pull the locking pins inside theirrecesses (133), hence the inverted L-shaped hooks (139) are free to comeout of the openings on the bottom side of the female socket blocks(111), the cylindrical stub (138) also being able to come downwardly outof the blind hole (109) of the plain female socket block (108). Thus,the second subunit (103) falls downwards and the fireman is free toescape. The support frame (113) in conjunction with the central base(114) forms a sturdy bottom surface for mounting parts of the device,which also acts protectively so that the second subunit (103) suffers nodamage when hitting the ground and may be used again in case it isretrieved.

It is obvious that the way of attaching the second subunit (103) to thevest (102) is susceptible to various modifications. For example, thelocking pins (132) may be of a shape other than the rectangularparallelepiped shape shown in FIG. 4, e.g. they may be cylindrical, therecesses (133) being shaped accordingly. Similarly, the vertical stub(138) and the blind hole (109) may have a non-circular cross section.The plain female socket block (108) may also have two blind holes andthe support frame (113) two corresponding vertical stubs or there may bemore than one plain female socket blocks. In addition, there may be asingle female socket block (111) with one locking pin (132) and,accordingly, a single inverted L-shaped hook (139).

Finally, the arrangement of certain parts of the device on the secondsubunit (103) may also vary. Thus, while in FIGS. 17 and 18 one may seethe centrifugal fan with the spiral housing (1) being arrangedlaterally, to the operator's right side, the impeller (116) axis lyingin the left-right direction, in FIG. 21 the fan is located right behindthe operator and the impeller axis lies in the front-rear direction.This last configuration is obviously advantageous in terms of weightdistribution (more uniform). Of course, in this case a 90-degree ductelbow (140) is required in order for the tubular extension (124) to havethe desired orientation to the operator's side.

The invention is not limited to the embodiments described in detailabove. Modifications to certain parts of the device have already beenmentioned, but of course more are within the capabilities of the personskilled in the art. For example:

-   -   The motors and drive systems may be of a different type, just as        the oil pump (or pumps).    -   The funnel (13) need not be frustoconical, as it is in the        portable device (110), or a square-to-round reducer, as it is in        the remotely controlled (10) or in the manually operated (60)        version of the device. It is sufficient that it has a gradually        reduced cross section, in order to cause acceleration of the        spray jet beam. Likewise, the duct outlet (14) which may be used        to straighten the flow anew need not be cylindrical (although        this is preferred), it is sufficient that it has a constant        cross section.    -   The channels of the central oil distributor (31) may follow        different paths therein (not axial first, then radial), as long        as these are independent, i.e. they do not cross each other, and        open out into the circular grooves (41).    -   The liquid tank (87) of the version of the device for aerial        operations (90) may be of a shape other than the Pi-shape.    -   Both the remotely controlled (10) and the manually operated (60)        version of the device, which have been described above as        suitable for mounting on land vehicles, may also be placed at        fixed points, e.g. to protect national forests.    -   The presence of the locking and quick release mechanism (112)        described above in relation to the portable device (110) is        optional. The second subunit (103) may be detached from the vest        (102) in a different way. There may also be no quick release        mechanism of the second subunit (103) from the vest (102), the        operator being freed from the weight of the whole device (110)        by simply undoing his waist belt (106) and unlocking the clip        locks (107) of the straps holding the vest on his body.

Furthermore, apart from fire extinguishing, the use of the device forcreating visual effects is proposed, wherein the liquid supplied to thespray nozzles (17) is a coloured aqueous solution.

Alternatively, pieces of coloured paper, e.g. confetti, or pieces ofsimilar lightweight materials may be supplied into the air stream, e.g.through the fan (suction) inlet, instead of liquid.

In a further embodiment of the device for creating visual effects, smokeof various colours, generated by one or more smoke bombs, may besupplied to the interior of the centrifugal fan, e.g. through itssuction inlet again.

The invention is defined in the following claims.

1-31. (canceled)
 32. A spray jet discharging device comprising acentrifugal fan with an impeller rotating within a spiral housing (1), ahydraulic motor (2) supplied with oil via a hydraulic circuit (52) fordriving the impeller in order to create an air stream, hydraulic pipingfor connection to a source of liquid, said piping having spray nozzles(17) for spraying the liquid within the discharged air stream in orderto create a spray jet beam and a support for mounting the fan, saiddevice being characterized in that the fan support comprises: a U-shapedbase (20), the spiral housing (1) being pivotally connected to said baseat two points (21), (22) located on the two arms of the “U” and definingan imaginable horizontal axis around which the spiral housing (1) isrotatable, so that the inclination angle of the discharged spray jetbeam in a vertical plane may be altered, in the upward or downwarddirection, a rotatable support pillar (19), said pillar comprising afixed internal trunk of a substantially cylindrical shape, an externaljacket (29) surrounding said trunk and being rotatably mounted thereonaround an imaginable vertical axis, said jacket (29) being fixedlyconnected to the U-shaped base (20), so that its rotation also entrainsthe centrifugal fan into rotation around said vertical axis, causing thedischarged spray jet beam to rotate in a horizontal plane, to the leftor to the right, wherein the fixed internal trunk is at the same time acentral oil distributor (31), supplying oil to at least the impeller'shydraulic motor (2), and having at least two orifices (40) at its bottomfor connection to oil pipes coming from an oil supply pump, saidorifices being the inlets to channels extending within the cylindricaltrunk and letting out each one into a separate circular groove (41),said grooves being located on the cylinder circumference, each groove ata different axial height along the cylinder, so that the internal wallof the rotatable jacket (29) in conjunction with the grooves (41) of thecylindrical distributor and with seals (42) provided at the lateralwalls of the grooves (41) define separate, leakproof annular oilchambers, two of said chambers forming part of the hydraulic circuit(52) of said motor (2), one belonging to the supply line and the otherto the return line, and wherein the external jacket (29) has a radialthrough hole (32) opposite each groove (41), said through holes havingmeans for connection to oil hoses (24) leading to the impeller's saidhydraulic motor (2) at least; so that said oil hose (24) is enabled tofollow the movements of said jacket (29) during the device right-leftrotation, without being twisted, while the oil circulation through therespective annular oil chamber is uninterrupted. said device beingfurther characterized in that the maximum velocity of the spray jet,corresponding to the maximum rotational speed of the impeller motor,when measured at the centre of the device outlet, exceeds the 400 km/h.33. A spray jet discharging device according to claim 32, characterizedin that the central oil distributor (31) has an axial through hole atits centre and in that the U-shaped base (20) has a correspondingthrough hole, a pipe (18) supplying liquid to the spray nozzles (17)passing through said holes, or said through holes forming themselvespart of the liquid supply pipe (18), wherein said pipe has a rotarycoupling (43) at a point of its vertical route.
 34. A spray jetdischarging device according to claim 32, characterized in that thespiral housing (1) has: a handle (65), via which manual rotation of thecentrifugal fan may be effected, both in the horizontal plane, to theleft or to the right, by simultaneous rotation of the U-shaped base (20)and of the external jacket (29) around said vertical axis, and in thevertical plane, upwards or downwards, around said horizontal axis,wherein the points of pivotal connection (21), (22) between the U-shapedbase (20) and the spiral housing (1) are so arranged that the moment ofthe centrifugal fan's weight around said horizontal axis counteracts themoment produced by the reaction force exerted by the discharged sprayjet beam on the device, and a control (61), the hoses (24) supplying oilto the motor (2) passing through said control, which also has means (63)for adjusting the oil flow rate and thereby the rotational speed of theimpeller and the velocity of the discharged spray jet.
 35. A spray jetdischarging device according to claim 32 characterized in that: rotationof the centrifugal fan around said horizontal axis upwards or downwardsis effected via a hydraulic cylinder (23) whose one end is pivotallyconnected to one of the arms of the “U” of U-shaped base (20), its otherend being pivotally connected to the respective lateral surface of thespiral housing (1), said hydraulic cylinder (23) being supplied with oilvia a hydraulic circuit (54), rotation of the centrifugal fan aroundsaid vertical axis to the left or to the right is effected via ahydraulic motor (38) causing the external jacket (29) to rotate aroundsaid axis, said hydraulic motor (38) being supplied with oil via ahydraulic circuit (55), and the central oil distributor (31) has atleast six orifices (40) at its bottom and an equal number of channelsextending through it and an equal number of circular grooves (41), i.e.of annular oil chambers, disposed on its circumference, and therotatable external jacket (29) has an equal number of radial throughholes (32), three pairs of said annular oil chambers, orifices (40),channels and radial through holes (32) belonging to said three hydrauliccircuits (52), (54) and (55), of the hydraulic motor (2) driving thecentrifugal fan impeller, of the hydraulic cylinder (23) for changingthe inclination angle of the spray jet beam in the vertical plane, andof the hydraulic motor (38) for turning the spray jet beam to the leftor to the right, respectively.
 36. A spray jet discharging deviceaccording to claim 35 characterized in that the hydraulic motor (38) ismounted on the external jacket (29) having its driveshaft verticallyoriented, said driveshaft carrying a pinion (39) which engages with afixed gear wheel (34), fastened to the substantially cylindrical, fixedinternal trunk of the support pillar (19) and coaxial therewith, whereinduring rotation of the driveshaft of hydraulic motor (38), the pinion(39) rolls on the toothing of the fixed gear wheel (34), resulting inthat the motor (38) itself revolves about said vertical axis and at thesame time entrains the external jacket (29) into rotation around sameaxis.
 37. A spray jet discharging device according to claim 35,characterized in that said hydraulic circuits (52), (54) and (55), ofthe hydraulic motor (2) driving the centrifugal fan impeller, of thehydraulic cylinder (23) for changing the inclination angle of the sprayjet beam in the vertical plane, and of the hydraulic motor (38) forturning the spray jet beam to the left or to the right, compriseelectrovalves (48), (50), and (51), respectively, for controlling themotion of said hydraulic parts, wherein said electrovalves (48), (50),and (51) are actuated via a remote control (47).
 38. A spray jetdischarging device according to claim 35, characterized in that thehydraulic circuits (54) and (55), of the hydraulic cylinder (23) forchanging the inclination angle of the spray jet beam in the verticalplane, and of the hydraulic motor (38) for turning the spray jet beam tothe left or to the right, comprise electro valves (50), and (51),respectively, for controlling the motion of said hydraulic parts,whereas adjustment of the rotational speed of the hydraulic motor (2)driving the impeller is effected via an actuator controlling therotational speed of the motor driving the pump which supplies thehydraulic motor (2) with oil, wherein both said electrovalves (50), (51)and said actuator are actuated via a remote control (47).
 39. A sprayjet discharging device according to claim 32, characterized in that asecond base (26) is interposed between the U-shaped base (20) and therotatable support pillar (19), in the form of a plate located underneaththe horizontal, when the device is in use, base plate of the “U” of theU-shaped base (20), which is pivotally connected to the U-shaped base(20), via one or more horizontally disposed hinges (27), along one edgewhich is perpendicular to a plane parallel to the “U” of the U-shapedbase (20), wherein the lower base (26) is fixedly connected to theexternal jacket (29) of the support pillar (19), rotating therewith andentraining the upper, U-shaped base (20) and the centrifugal fan intorotation to the left or to the right, wherein, when the upper, U-shapedbase (20) has a through hole at its centre for a pipe to passtherethrough, the lower base (26) also has a corresponding through hole,and wherein the upper, U-shaped base (20) may swivel with respect to thelower base (26) about the axis of the hinge(s) (27), so that the spiralhousing (1) may move between an upright position for using the deviceand a reclined position for the transport of the device.
 40. A spray jetdischarging device according to claim 39, characterized in that it iscapable of being moved between said upright position and said reclinedposition manually, a latch (64) being provided for locking the upperU-shaped base (20) and the lower base (26) when the first base sits ontop of the second base, in order to secure the device in an uprightposition.
 41. A spray jet discharging device according to claim 32,characterized in that it comprises a hydraulic cylinder (28) for itsdisplacement between said upright and reclined positions, one end of thecylinder being pivotally connected to the rotatable external jacket (29)of the support pillar (19), its other end being pivotally connected tothe arm of the upper, U-shaped base (20) which is on the same side asthe hinge(s) (27), said hydraulic cylinder (28), also being suppliedwith oil by means of a hydraulic circuit (53) comprising an electrovalve (49) for controlling the cylinder's motion, said electro valvebeing actuated via a remote control (47).
 42. A spray jet dischargingdevice according to claim 41, characterized in that the hoses supplyingoil to the hydraulic cylinder (28) branch off the supply and returnlines of the hydraulic circuit (54) of the cylinder (23) for changingthe inclination angle of the spray jet beam in the vertical plane, saidhoses being provided with manual valves (30).
 43. A spray jetdischarging device according to claim 32, suitable of being mountedeither at a fixed point or at the front or rear side of a land vehiclecomprising a centrifugal fan with an impeller rotating within a spiralhousing (1), a motor (2) for driving the impeller in order to create anair stream, hydraulic piping for connection to a source of liquid, saidpiping having spray nozzles (17) for spraying the liquid within thedischarged air stream in order to create a spray jet beam and a supportfor mounting the fan, said device being characterized in that the fansupport comprises: a U-shaped base (20) arranged so that the “U” isparallel to a horizontal plane, the spiral housing (1) being pivotallyconnected with the arms of the “U” at two points (21), (22) defining animaginable horizontal axis around which the spiral housing (1) mayrotate in order to change the inclination angle of the discharged sprayjet beam in a vertical plane, upwards or downwards, a fixed base (26) inthe form of a vertically arranged plate, which is pivotally connectedalong one vertical edge to the U-shaped base (20) via one or more hinges(27) of vertical axis, wherein the U-shaped base (20) may swivel withrespect to the fixed base (26) about the axis of the hinge(s) (27),resulting in that the spiral housing (1) rotates in a horizontal plane,to the left or to the right, a fixed support pillar (71) with the fixedbase (26) attached thereto; said device being further characterized inthat the maximum velocity of the spray jet, corresponding to the maximumrotational speed of the impeller motor, when measured at the centre ofthe device outlet, exceeds the 400 km/h.
 44. A spray jet dischargingdevice according to claim 43, characterized in that: rotation of thecentrifugal fan around said horizontal axis in an upward or downwarddirection is effected via a hydraulic cylinder (23), one end of thecylinder being pivotally connected to one of the arms of the “U” of theU-shaped base (20), its other end being pivotally connected to thecorresponding lateral surface of the spiral housing (1), and swivelingof the U-shaped base (20) with respect to the fixed base (26) about theaxis of the hinge(s) (27), causing the centrifugal fan to turn to theleft or to the right, is effected via a hydraulic cylinder (75), one endof said cylinder being pivotally connected to a bracket (74) extendingfrom the support pillar (71) in a perpendicular direction, its other endbeing pivotally connected to the arm of the “U” of the U-shaped base(20) which is on the same side as the hinge(s) (27).
 45. A spray jetdischarging device according to claim 32, being suitable for suspensionfrom an aircraft, further comprising: a frame (89) for mounting allparts of the device, being mounted on said frame in the inverse sense,i.e. with the arms of the U-shaped base (20) pointing downwards when thedevice is in a position for use, a liquid reservoir (87) and a pump (92)for supplying liquid to be sprayed via nozzles (17), in order to createa spray jet, an engine (91), preferably a petrol or diesel engine, andits fuel tank, wherein the engine (91) drives at least one oil pump (44)supplying oil to the hydraulic circuits of the device, the pump (92)supplying the liquid to be sprayed and a generator producing electricityto cover the device's power requirements, at least two propulsion means(94) arranged on the left and right side of the device, their rotationaxes being parallel and substantially horizontal, the rotational speedsof the motors (96) driving said propulsion means being individuallyadjustable via a control panel (99), so that balance of the deviceagainst the forces exerted on it is ensured and/or its rotation to theleft or to the right is enabled, a gyroscope (98), instructing saidcontrol panel (99), and a video camera (101) for recording images of thedevice's field of action.
 46. A spray jet discharging device accordingto claim 45, characterized in that said propulsion means (94),preferably being propellers that are borne by at least two arms (93)pivotally connected to the mounting frame (89), said arms being movablevia hydraulic cylinders (97) between a first, folded position fortransport of the device and a second, extended position for use of thedevice, wherein each arm (93) in said second position, as well as itsrespective propulsion means (94), project from the left or the rightside of the device, further comprising a seat (100) equipped withcontrols so that the device may be operated by a person seated thereinand a remote control (47) for operating the device from inside theaircraft, with the help of the images provided by said video camera(101).
 47. A spray jet discharging device according to claim 32,characterized in that the device outlet is the outlet of the spiralhousing (1).
 48. A spray jet discharging device according to claim 32,characterized in that a funnel (13) of gradually reduced cross sectionis fitted to the spiral housing (1) outlet, whereby the device outlet isthe funnel (13) outlet that is further being connected to a duct (14) ofconstant cross section which straightens the flow before discharge ofthe spray jet beam, whereby the device outlet is the duct's (14) outlet.49. A spray jet discharging device according to claim 43, characterizedin that the centrifugal fan with an impeller rotating within a spiralhousing (1) is mounted on the articulated arm (76), so that thecontinuous rotation of the device through 360° is obtained, furthermorecharacterized in that the movement of all pumps for driving thehydraulic cylinders, the hydraulic motors, the rest of motors and thecentrifugal fan, is being generated by means of the engine of thevehicle to which the device is mounted and/or by means of a spareengine.
 50. Use of a spray jet discharging device for extinguishingfires, characterized in that the liquid supplied to the spray nozzles(17) is either water or another liquid fire extinguishing medium, saidliquid also being a colored aqueous solution and/or pieces of coloredpaper or similar lightweight materials or smoke of various colorsgenerated by one or more smoke bombs, said being supplied into the airstream.